[filly1969]

My best tip for not extreme but smart is: If it is not a item my family uses on a regular basis I do not buy it. I have a list of what a good stock up price is on the items my family uses all the time that way I know when a sale comes around if its a deal worth taking advantage of.

I do have a stockpile but I do not feel having a stockpile is extreme. I live in a area where we can have harsh winters and I'm not close to town. So my stockpile is a safety net for bad weather and natural disasters.

I have learned just because a natural disaster doesn't happen out my back door but may have occured halfway across the country doesn't mean it might not have a effect on what appears on my stores shelves so it is good to be prepared.

[jcsaxx]

Don't wait until the last minute to order coupons. Plain and simple. It's a terrible feeling to know that I missed free items for waiting too long to order/print coupons.

[sbbrecht]

I have found that there is a vast amount of information and if you take a little time to research and find your couponing nitch you will do well at couponing. But I think the very best tip I have found is to always be courteous and humble because even the best cashier or friendliest fellow shopper or manager can have a bad day. It only takes one great coupon customer with a warm smile and humble attitude to turn their day around, with the result being a great experience for everyone! On days that I just can't muster up that warm smile and good attitude, I have found it is better just to stay at home and leave the deals for tomorrow!

[angelasykes]

Don't stop couponing..ever.
I stopped couponing for a month, due to school..and when I had free time again I started again and it such a loss of time!
If I found something in stock, I didn't have the coupon for it..and then we finally ordered the coupons they were out of stock..I missed out on a lot of deals..and then when I wanted to purchase the high value coupons online they were at ridiculous prices..
My tip.. Get your coupons early and don't stop couponing

[jeklin]

With a newborn at home, I have found it difficult to keep up with clipping coupons, especially the P&G insert. So I've stopped clipping those because the brands/coupons are almost always the same. I just file them in my binder and clip as I need them.

Jill

[ilyra_morgan]

For me, it's about organization. I use two small accordian coupon folders that I picked up at the local dollar store. It has categories already marked on them and helps to keep me organized. I also make sure I check out the circulars for the weekend I go shopping and plan a bit before I head out. Helps me save quite a bit of money which is what we all want to do right? =D

[evenkeel]

I use AFC a LOT to watch for upcoming deals, especially because many of the stores I usually shop at have ad previews available, but I also watch other blogs for the heads-up on other deals. I pay attention to what's on clearance at stores (especially Target) and remember to clip q's for those items before I go back to the store again. I buy a maximum of four newspapers a week. I only cut out the coupons I think I'll use before they expire and put the inserts in an accordian file. The cut coupons go into a smaller file, organized by item category or store. I use a lot of IPs and only have access to one computer but I've rarely found this to be an issue. I believe very strongly in coupon karma and regularly play "coupon fairy" in-store and for family members, or text people about deals I find for items I know they use. I love to talk to people in stores about couponing and "spreading the word" about (responsible) couponing.

[peachjuteux]

I also use a binder- but i keep the coupons close to expiring in the front of my binder. i have couponing steps 1. scour my favorite sites for money maker deals first, then roll from there when planning the rst of my shopping list. 2. look for my stores that double coupon second. 3. price match as much as possible if the coupons I want to use wont double. 4. always check teh dollar store once a week, you never know what items they may get in at any time. 5. I dont make a shopping list if im either hungry or full, and never shop hungry, LOL. and the biggest thing now a days is never leave your binder alone, i am reading more and more stories of binder stealings and coupon grabs. be safe and shop smart. also i learned its better to price match sometimes to save paying more than one sales tax. in my area we pay 2 taxes, food and non food- total they are almost 12%.

[sarahboo1979]

My # 1 tip would be don't use a coupon just because it is getting ready to expire. If it is not a good deal let the coupon expire. More than likely another coupon for that same product will be re-released later. And the expired coupons you can send to the military families for them to still use when they can find a great deal for it.

Also check for local coupon exchanges in your area or consider starting one. We have a wonderful coupon exchange at our local library. There you can leave coupons you do not need, pick up coupons you can use and drop off expired coupons for them to ship all at one time to military families.

[Rasha]

And the winners this week (chosen via Random.org) are...

BlueMoon187 - “Not Extreme, Just Smart Couponing Contest” - Week 1

rose3trs - “Not Extreme, Just Smart Couponing Contest” - Week 1

peak7263 - “Not Extreme, Just Smart Couponing Contest” - Week 1

sarahboo1979 - “Not Extreme, Just Smart Couponing Contest” - Week 1

Please PM me, Rasha, with your name, e-mail, and mailing address so we can send your prizes to you!